Space-based economy

Space-based industry is a blanket term sometimes used to cover a variety of future forms of human activity in outer space, including asteroid mining, space manufacturing, space trade, construction performed in space such as the building of space stations, space burial, and space advertising.

This term is not to be confused with the space industry, meaning Earth-based businesses which produce or affect technology required for space travel and space exploration.

Space-based industrial efforts are presently in their infancy. Most such concepts would require a considerable long-term human presence in space, and/or relatively low-cost access to space. The majority of proposals would also require technological or engineering developments in areas such as robotics, solar energy and life support systems.